ENJJPT 2008 on schedule

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing and Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program returned recently from a week-long trip for the fall steering committee meeting in Norway.

Col. David Petersen said the semi-annual meeting Sept. 10-14 was to look at policy formulation, oversight and monitoring of the world's only multi-nationally run pilot training program. One of the key areas of discussion was the continuation of ENJJPT 2008, an initiative that not only sees a change in aircraft, but also syllabus and exit-entry points.

"The ENJJPT 2008 syllabus is on track for implementation with the first T-6 (Texan) class in August," the colonel said.

Colonel Petersen briefed the oversight committee on the plans to bed down the aircraft, including sunshade shelters to provide cover for the Texans. He said the group discussed entry points for students over the next five years.

As NATO continually expands with the addition of new partners, so does the opportunity for more participants in ENJJPT. Colonel Petersen said this committee's discussion wasn't so much on adding new members, but how existing members can increase participation in the program.

"Spain announced it will be taking advantage of the ENJJPT 2008 option of entering Phase 3 - T-38 undergraduate pilot training and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals - beginning in September 2008," the colonel said.

The option the colonel mentioned is part of an innovative method to allow countries to pick and choose what portions of training their pilots would receive through participation in the program. Colonel Petersen said the more flexible syllabus allows the program to be more responsive to the needs of each country.

"Spain is a good example," he said. "They are happy with their primary pilot training, but want better advanced training as they prepare for the Eurofighter."

He said other countries may not have the need for advanced training such as the IFF portion, but they still need the solid foundation of the primary phase of the program.

Leadership of the steering committee will see a change in the spring when Air Commodore Peter Berlijn, the committee chairman and member of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, will retire and Italian Air Force Brig. Gen. Franco Marsiglia will begin his duties as the new chairman. General Marsiglia will be present at the spring steering committee meeting to observe the sessions.

The overall feeling of the discussions was positive and reflective of how the first 25 years of the program has evolved.
"The steering committee is confident that ENJJPT has been a highly successful, one-of-a-kind cooperative program," Colonel Petersen said. "They are very interested in doing all they can to ensure the program remains responsive and relevant for the future."

From his perspective as the new commander of the wing and ENJJPT, Colonel Petersen said his eyes were opened to the importance of not only the program, but also of Joe Spann, the 80th FTW chief of executive programs, and all the members of his team.

"They are absolutely essential to the successful running of the wing and have a vast amount of corporate knowledge, without which we would reinvent the wheel with every new commander or steering committee," he said.

Sheppard will host the next steering committee meeting in March.